267 pages : 23 cm

"Theodore Beza's (1519-1605) role in the development of religious epistemology is a subject of current interest to modern Reformed theological and philosophical schools. Unfortunately, contemporary concerns often contribute to anachronistic historiography and misperceptions of Beza's thought. Reconsidering Beza's epistemology in its original context, Mallinson contends that Beza struck a balance between the subjective and objective aspects of religious belief, thereby continuing the Reformed epistemological programme. He shows that Beza fortified the objective aspect of belief in the face of scepticism and fideism, without subverting the subjective emphases dear to predecessors such as John Calvin. He suggests that this was only possible because Beza integrated the volitional and intellectual aspects of faith. Beza's academic career encouraged him to emphasize the reasonableness of Christian belief. Likewise, the constraints of Pyrrhonic Counter Reformation polemics led him to highlight evidential arguments for the religious authority of Scripture." "Nevertheless, his doctrine of faith allowed him to explain that, while all men recognize (cognitio) that God exists, their sinful natures do not allow them willing assent, to this truth (agnitio). Beza holds that Scripture is objectively historical and authentic, something demonstrable even to those who wilfully reject it. For Beza, however, nothing avails without the subjective response demanded by the Gospel. Thus, though true faith presupposes knowledge (such as knowledge of God's existence) and assent (such as assent to the evidence for Scripture), nothing is to be called faith that lacks a subjective application of Christ's promises. Through this programme, Beza integrates objectivity and subjectivity, intellect and will."--Jacket

Includes bibliographical references (pages 239-263) and index

Introduction -- Beza's academic challenge -- Beza's polemic challenge -- The uses and abuses of natural revelation -- The nature and mode of special revelation -- The authentication of scripture -- Beza's doctrine of faith -- Conclusion

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